The Word for Today with Ray

Monday, January 28, 2019

The World, The Flesh and The Devil

Twas two who sat on nearby log

discussing their life's woes

establishing where attribute

the blame twas not their own

Not I the first who am to blame

the world commercials bring

convincing me I suffer loss

without them worthless thing

If not the world perfect I be

influence toward my wrong

my ills, mistakes and sinful ways

without would I be strong

The second drew his pointed blast

the flesh at fault for him

desires hidden deep inside

betrayed by carnal sin

If not the flesh perfect I be

the lust within my heart

revealed impassioned alibis

to hide my willful part

But thus did ne'r the two agree

their introspective ways

for neither thought their way be true

that they be thus astray

So thought did they upon their rot

and pointed marked intent

decided they would not admit

their sum'ry cause relent

Perhaps the devil is to blame

the second said to one

the world and flesh do not prevail

o'er his assailant plunge

The first agreed they'd never own

their error never ceased

and seek release from guilty shame

that rob them of their peace

If not the devil perfect we be

twas he who caused our pain

the great mistakes impassioned lies

and errors we have feigned

So arm in arm with peace inside

the first and second rose

without a care for sin their own

deceitfully unknown

You Do Wrong and Defraud 1 Corinthians 6:8

Paul the apostle addressed “brothers” in the church of Corinth who were “suing” one another before “worldly judges” rather than handling disputes within the church, and he asked, “why do you not rather take wrong?” In chapter six and verse eight of First Corinthians, Paul told the church members, “you do wrong, and defraud” where we read:

No, you do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

The verse begins, “No, you do wrong, and defraud, ...” Paul began with the words, “No” which means “nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover”, “you do wrong” or “the church members act unjustly or wickedly and sin”, “and defraud” which means “and rob, despoil and keep back by fraud”. The church members were guilty of “acting unjustly” and “robbing”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and that your brethren.” Paul continued with the words, “and that” which means “these things of wrong and defrauding”“your brethren” which means “a fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection ”. The “wrong” and “defrauding” by the church members were against their own “brothers” in Christ within the church.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we marvel that these Christians in Corinth were doing “wrong to” and “defrauding” one another. One would think this kind of behavior should never be in the church, but unfortunately, it often is. Paul addressed this problem because it was such a part of the church, and it does not represent accurately Jesus Christ as “Savior and Lord”. Unbelievers are watching the church, and when they see this behavior, is it any wonder they do not desire to become a part of it?

Next time Paul asks the church members, “Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Why Not Take Wrong 1 Corinthians 6:7

Paul the apostle wrote to the church members in Corinth concerning “lawsuits” within the church, and he referred to how, “brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers” In chapter six and verse seven of First Corinthians, Paul asked the church members in Corinth,“why do you not rather take wrong?” where we read:

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

The verse begins, “Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another.” Paul began with the word, “Now” which means “even, already and by this time” “therefore” or “truly, certainly, surely and indeed” “there is” which means “accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “utterly” or “wholly and altogether” “a fault” or “diminution, decrease, defeat and loss as respects to salvation” “among you” which means “by and with the church members”, “because” or “since and as though” “you go to law” which means “the church members hold, own, possess and adhere to decrees, judgments, suing and cases in court” “one with another” or “one person within the church against another person in the church”. Paul declared the church members were suffering “defeat and loss as respects to salvation” because they were “suing” one another.

The verse goes on to say, “Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Paul continued with the word, “Why” which means “wherefore and through what cause”“do you not rather” which means “do the church members not instead, to a greater degree, sooner, by far, more willingly or readily” “take wrong” or “allow, receive, suffer or take hurt or injury ”? “Why” or “wherefore and through what cause” “do you not rather” which means “do the church members not instead, to a greater degree, sooner, by far, more willingly or readily” “suffer yourselves” which refers to “allow, permit and let themselves as church members” “to be defrauded” or “to be robbed, despoiled and destitute”. Paul desired to know “why” the church members did not just accept “wrongdoing” and being “robbed and despoiled”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we may find it somewhat challenging because we have two inclinations which are natural to us. The first is not to recognize there is a “fault” among ourselves within our faith in Jesus because we “sue” others, and the second is our resistance to “take wrong” or “be defrauded”. However, these were Paul's statements and questions to the Corinthian church. If we think about it, Jesus did these. Jesus, though He never had a “fault”, suffered as though He did, and He certainly “took wrong” and was “defrauded” so we might obtain salvation. Paul's words are challenging, and if we are to align with our Savior Jesus, we should seek our Heavenly Father and ask Him to provide help through the Holy Spirit to obey these directives.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “you do wrong, and defraud”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Artisans of Palabra

Who are these conveyors of concepts and ideas
with conjugated phrase and parabolic influence

with justification and verbosity

aligning multitude of words with trails of humor

hidden beneath bounded lines

Who script nonsense to foolish onlookers

but wisdom to the wise of mind
as heart issues are wrapped in stanza verse
dawning emotions which arise from jilted paths

and call for empathy's absent stain

These whose legacy be driven from empty shell

which soul imparts thru spiritual phrase
Cloaked beneath stone walled countenance

and guarded by onslaughts past
doth bring forth noble words which underscore

depth of human love and notice

Thus fruitful foe and amicable friend

lie near the forethoughts penned

and fulfill inner peace by ridding writer

of coupled fears and loss for departed

union with human souls

Brother Suing Brother 1 Corinthians 6:6

Paul the apostle wrote to the Corinthian church concerning “lawsuits” that were being brought before “the world's judges” rather than within the church itself, and he asked, “Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?” In chapter six and verse six of First Corinthians, Paul shared how, “brother goes to law with brother” within the church where we read:

But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

The verse begins, “But brother goes to law with brother,” Paul began with the words, “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “” “brother” which refers to “a fellow believer who is united to another by the bond of affection” “goes to law” which means “separates, puts asunder, picks out, selects, chooses, is of opinion, determines, resolves and decrees” “with brother” or “after or against a fellow believer who is united to another by the bond of affection”. Paul noted how “brothers” within the church were “suing” one another.

The verse continues, “... and that before the unbelievers.” Paul added the words, “and that before” which means “and the suing was in front of and across from”“the unbelievers” which means “incredulous, unfaithful, faithless and perfidious people”. The church members in Corinth were not only “suing” one another, but also doing so with “unbelievers” as their “judges”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we may marvel that “brothers” in Christ were “suing” “brothers” in Christ within the church at Corinth, but this was only part of the problem. They were “suing” one another before “worldly” and “non-believing” “judges”. When people receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord, they become part of His church, and they should be able to “govern” or “evaluate” themselves, but this was not the case in Corinth. Let us keep in mind the church is Jesus Christ's bride, and those within the church should behave in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Let us put away “going to law” against one another within the church and bear witness to the world that Jesus' church is His “pure and holy” bride.

Next time Paul asks the church members, “why do you not rather take wrong?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Flying Solo

Consider this one

who used to be among the masses

treading among the throng

now risen and ascended toward his heightened fate

Beyond the clattering invisible waves

who launched to greater heights

above the fray and o'er the cackles

of preceding mediocrity

Whereupon sailed and took flight

as he soared above the carpeted trees

and onslaught of rampant negativity

while coasting upon the listeth winds

He who has taken flight

beneath the crystal blue skies

and the blazon sphere which heats

the terrain upon which he used to tread

Now guided by the overseer's creative hand

who enjoined the correlated buzz

to supersede the longing effect

and erase the penalty of error

That causes solo flights prevailing effect

ridding one of combative language

and pressing toward peaceful retreat

and silence from the ruffle

He who now ascends relishes harmony

and the silence of the breeze

that brings no assail or affront

while easing the anguish of separation of souls

Is There No Wise Man Among You 1 Corinthians 6:5

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth when they encountered “things that pertain to this life, they should “set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church”. Paul continued to share concerning people “suing” one another within the church, and in chapter six and verse five of First Corinthians, Paul asked the church members in Corinth, “is not a wise man among you” where we read:

I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you?

no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

The verse begins, “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you?” Paul began with the words, “I speak” which means “Paul uttered, spoke and declared” “to your shame” or “to the church members' in regard to and towards confusion, respect and reverence”. “Is it so” which means “in this manner, thus and so”, “that there is” or “that no one exists” “a wise man” which refers to “a skilled, expert, cultivated and learned person” “among you” or “along and beside the church members”? Paul meant to pronounce “shame” upon the church members because they had not discovered or search for one “wise man” within the church.

The verse continues, “no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?” Paul added the words, “no, not one” which means “not even one certain person”“that shall” which means “who will” “be able” or “have the ability” “to judge” which means “separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose, approve, esteem, prefer, be of opinion about, deem, determine, resolve and decree concerning” “between” or “in the midst and among” “his brethren” which refers to “the person's fellow believers who are united to others by the bond of affection”. Paul went on to ask whether there was not “one person” who had the ability to “judge” between the ones who disputed with one another.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we see how he meant to motivate the church members in Corinth to find “wise men among” them. Rather than go to the world to “judge” between them, people in the church should be able to seek out others who are “wise” when disputes arise. Jesus desires “peace” within His church, and godly counsel and assessment should be the way to confront disagreements. Let us keep in mind, people often encounter differences, and when they do, let us seek for “wise” people to help resolve them.

Next time Paul addresses how “brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers” within the church, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.